Comparison of the Efficiency of Two Different Methods in Managing Early Postoperative Thirst

Postoperative thirst is one of the most common problems in patients. Thirst is a subjective symptom. Thirst can cause unwanted problems in patients such as anxiety, discomfort and nausea. It may even cause anxiety, hypertension, dysrhythmia, non-compliance with treatment and increased need for anesthesia. Although different methods have been applied in the management of thirst in the existing literature and positive results have been obtained, studies with high evidence value are very limited. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different methods in thirst management.

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Key information

Conditions

Patient Satisfaction Behavior Health Behavior Nursing Caries Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Post-Op Complication Postoperative Complications Treatment Adherence and Compliance

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Yasemin Uslu, Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

In this study, the investigators compared the effectiveness of two of the methods proposed in the literature for the relief of postoperative thirst.

These methods are ice application and wet gauze. A numerical comparison scale was used to assess and monitor thirst (0=no thirst, 10=worst perceived thirst).

In patients with a thirst score of 4 and above in the early postoperative period, the duration of thirst severity and the method of quenching thirst with oral ice or wet gauze impregnation were compared. In addition, a control group without any intervention was included. The thirst conditions of these three groups were compared.

A total of 240 patients, 80 in each group, were included in the study. Oral ice was applied in one group, wet gauze in the second group and no intervention was applied in the third group.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients aged 18-65 years
undergoing elective surgery
Patients undergoing surgery other than gastrointestinal system surgery
Patients in class I, II, III according to the American anesthesiologists' association classification (ASA)
Patients who have completed a minimum of 6 hours of strict fasting and 3 hours of thirst
Patients who can verbally express a thirst level of 4 points or more according to visual benchmark scale in the early postoperative period
Patients who comply with the safety protocol in the early postoperative period
Patients who can express their thirst in the early postoperative period/recovery unit
Patients with a duration of surgical anesthesia ≥1 hour and taken to the recovery unit at the end of surgery will be included in the study.

Exclusion criteria

Emergency planned surgeries
Patients who had a second surgical intervention during the hospitalization period
Patients who need intensive care after surgery
Patients with problems in the extubation process after surgery
Patients with altered state of consciousness after surgery
Patients with fluid electrolyte imbalance (hypovolemia and sodium imbalance)
Patients with swallowing difficulties and fluid intake restriction
Foreign patients with language barriers
Patients with menthol allergy
Patients with problems in the head, neck, throat and mouth will be excluded from the sample.
Women who have just given birth and are breastfeeding.

Treatment and study plan

ice application

Other

Drinking water was placed in a syringe and filled in the refrigerator

Wetted Gauze Application

Other

Sterile gauze soaked with drinking water

Primary outcomes

Thirst score

Time frame: Using Thirst Visual Comparion Scale score after immediately after surgery (T1) 5th min.(T2), 30th min.(T3), 60th min.(T4), 90th min.(T5)
Visual Comparion Scale (VCS) was used to assess thirst. In this scale, thirst was graded from 0 to 10. 0=no thirst, 10=the most severe thirst.

The scale was evaluated as 0-3 points mild thirst, 4-6 points moderate thirst, 7-10 points severe thirst.
- First follow-up (T1): Patient's thirst level measured by VCS and intervention (ice application or wet gauze application)
- Second follow-up (T2); evaluation was performed with VCS 5 minutes after the application.
- Third follow-up (T3); evaluation was performed with VCS 30 minutes after the application.
- Fourth follow-up (T4); assessment was performed with VCS 60 minutes after the application.
Fifth follow-up (T5); evaluation was performed with VCS 90 minutes after the application.

The thirst level of the patient was measured 5 times in total. At 90 minutes, data collection was terminated.

Scores between 5 measurement values were compared.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Acibadem University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of the Efficacy of Ice and Soaked Gauze in Managing Early Postoperative Thirst

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2023
Study completion: 2023
First posted: Jul 18, 2024
Registry last updated: Jul 18, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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